I disconnected the rear lateral link (lower) and I'm having trouble reconnecting it. After a certain point when I attempt to tighten the ball joint end, the ball joint just spins and the nut won't go down any further. I've read online various ball joint tightening techniques where you either try to pry apart the joint and then tighten, or push up on the bottom to push the joint together and then tighten. Neither seems to be working. I wonder if I wrecked the ball joint with impact tools.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

In the end of the ball joint stud there is a slot for a 6mm allen key. Hold the stud with the key and tighten with a wrench til snug then torque to spec.

 

Thank you!!!!!! I'll give that a shot. I honestly could not see an allen key slot. My car has gone through a number of Canadian winters and has been oil sprayed yearly. It's generally in good shape, but the bolt end of the ball joint looks kind of knarly and I could not see that. I referred to the FSM and didn't see any reference either.

 

I had to clean off/out the top of the bolt and the allen key worked. Thanks for your help.